A burglar who shot an 84-year-old man as he tried to fend him off with a mop has been jailed for 14 years.
Armed intruder Daniel Sullivan opened fire on the brave pensioner when he refused to yield to his demand for cash.
As we reported last week, the balaclava-clad raider walked into the pensioner's home wearing black clothes, carrying a gun and demanding £100.
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But the valiant victim was no pushover, refusing to give him money and picking up a mop to try to chase off the unwelcome stranger.
Cowardly Sullivan, who has previous for robbery and violence, then opened fire with a BB gun, hitting the plucky pensioner three times.
Now he has been branded a dangerous offender and told he must serve at least two-thirds of the 14-year sentence, which had an extra two years on licence added.
In a victim statement, the pensioner said: "I was shot in my own home while money was being demanded from me.
"I have always stood up for myself and stood up for what I believe to be right.
"I stood up to this man.
"I am of the generation where we don't like to admit we have been affected by things but I have to admit this has."
The victim said he no longer likes to go out or visit the social club like he used to and even a pet cat which was given to him by his family has not helped him feel better.
He said some of the pellets will remain embedded in his body for the rest of his life as doctors have deemed it too dangerous to remove them.
He added: "I am frustrated I couldn't catch the person at the time, though I did try to go after him."
Sullivan, 32, of no fixed address, was found guilty of aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and possessing a firearm following a trial, after DNA linked him to the scene of the crime in South Shields, in January 2020.
He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent and ammunition while prohibited.
Sentencing Sullivan, Judge Stephen Earl, at Newcastle Crown Court, said: "I do consider that you must represent a real risk to public safety."
The judge said the victim's bravery "stunned" those who encountered him during the trial and said: "He is entitled to enjoy this time in his life.
"This has significantly curtailed that enjoyment.
"One should never be afraid of being in one's home."
The judge had said during the first part of the case last week: "He came in and was in the hallway and demanded £100, with the threat of being shot.
"The complainant decided, in fact, he wasn't going to pay out such sum, picked up the mop and advanced on the male.
"The male discharged the weapon at him a number of times and hit him three times. He missed at least once or twice."
Jane Foley, defending, said Sullivan has experienced a hard time on remand due to coronavirus restrictions and has only been allowed three visits in the last two years.
